Drive through Dallas and you are likely to see a mural by Mariell Guzman. With bold, vibrant murals that can be found in the US and Mexico, her Mexican heritage and experience in Mexico informed the development of her creative process. Known for mixed media work, she has collaborated with brands such as Dickies, Steve Madden, Skagen Denmark, in addition to the works benefitting her local community in Fort Worth. Most recently, she has been a key player in the permanent exhibit in the psychedelic museum Meow Wolf’s Fort Worth location.

BRIGHT IDEAS: Brand Assembly tapped Mariell to create a mural for our space at the Dallas Market Center, and we couldn’t be more excited for you to see it.

NAME: Mariell Guzman
CITY: Dallas, TX

BEFORE YOU PUT PAINT TO BRUSH TO WALL, WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR MIND? My thoughts during a paint session range all over the place. I could be thinking about an imaginary scenario with strangers around me, daydreaming about eating my mom’s mole enchiladas, contemplating the purpose of my existence or I could simply be fascinated by observing the pigments mixing all over my palette.

YOU’VE WORKED WITH DICKIES, THE DALLAS MAVERICKS, AND STEVE MADDEN IN ADDITION TO OTHERS. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A BRAND COLLABORATION? I love working with brands that respect my artistic vision and give me creative freedom throughout the collaboration. It’s also important for me to work with brands that aim to give back to my community in some way, whether it’s through public art, organizing events to support with local businesses, etc.

HOW YOU NURTURE YOUR CREATIVE CONCEPTS: This is something I’m constantly learning how to approach in new ways as I develop my creative career. Here’s a couple ways:

-Leaving room to experiment with each new creative concept is very important to my process. I always find magical moments that spark up my imagination through experimentation.

- I doodle a lot and that has helped me become more loose with exploring new forms and ways to transform spaces.

YOU WERE RECENTLY TAPPED FOR A PERMANENT INSTALLATION AT THE UPCOMING LAKEWOOD, TEXAS LOCATION OF THE IMMERSIVE SANTA FE MUSEUM MEOW WOLF. HOW DO YOU ENVISION PEOPLE INTERACTING WITH YOUR ART? This project will be the most intimate and immersive installation I’ve ever created. It will be the culmination of the world I’ve developed through my art since I was young in order to have an escape. Art has helped me create a place where I felt I belonged, which is something I really struggled with while growing up as an immigrant in the US. I hope all the visitors are inspired while being immersed in my world and can feel that sense of belonging as well.

TAKE US THROUGH YOUR IDEAL DALLAS DAY: Being a full time artist can be a very chaotic life, so everyday is truly full of spontaneity and new challenges. Here’s how an ideal day (without anything to stress out about) would be:

- Walking up and writing down my vivid dreams for any potential inspiration.

- Reading an art book while drinking a nice cup of coffee and doodling in my sketchbook as ideas start to brew up.

- Going on a walk (or rollerblading) around white rock lake

- Going to my studio and spending 4-5 hours working

- Getting my favorite chicken sandwich from Latin Deli (A true hidden gem in Dallas)

- Unwinding by watching TV with my cat Pooka